Catching Up With 36 Crazyfists

December 2001: "We're 36 Crazyfists, we're from Alaska, and this is what we sound like", Brock humbly said to start off the show... 36 Crazyfists hit NYC for a live showing. After all is said and done, they will have played four shows there on the East Coast. However, the main reason for this trip out east was to attend to the mixing of their debut Bitterness The Star. Not sure if the set seemed short because of time, or because they blistered through every song with an energy you wish you saw at every rock show. Either way, don't blink your eyes...you might miss too much. The show at CBGB's was actually called the Metal Christmas Ball. The evening, headed by Lamb of God, also featured SkyCameFalling, Every Time I Die, Stalemate, Haste, and Zao. Since last night was pretty much the first time many RR people saw 36 CF live, if you weren't at the show, it shall be your first time too - you can check out some pics from the show in the photo gallery.

They rolled into town this past Sunday night, late Sunday night, 4:00am, weary from the road...from across the country they came, re-writing the rules as they went along... Take what you will from the above, but we do confirm that 36 Crazyfists is currently in New York, having arrived on Sunday (Dec 2) after a couple shows over the weekend. In fact, this past weekend was the band's first time playing live since?? Truthfully, except for local shows the band may have done on their own over the past year, we could not tell ya... So, it was a Saturday night show in Cleveland, and Sunday in Erie...a couple hardcore shows to give them a chance to work out the kinks. interesting fact - playing with 36 Crazyfists on both shows over the weekend was Nora, a band which is fronted by our New Media guy at Roadrunner US, Carl. Interestingly enough, Carl also did guest vocals on a track called "One Word", which will be on the 36 CF debut. Carl met up with 36 CF outside the club on Saturday before the show - "I walked in (their RV) and knew they were good to go." The band was relaxing with a couple beers, Spinal Tap being played on the tv. As for the show, Carl tells "when they played, it sounded like the cd, and it's a heavy cd. They are amazing live." As for the differences from Saturday's show to Sunday's? Carl says "gettin better all the time". He further explains, "that's a Beatles line you jerk... and if you don't know that, but you like Slayer, then that's OK. If you hate The Beatles and Slayer, go close your hand in a door." The 3rd show for 36 Crazyfists on this short trip will be Wednesday night Dec 5 in NYC at CBGB's. 36 CF is scheduled to hit the stage at 8:30pm. Carl will be there. Who else will be there? That is right, the man behind the production gospel according to Dave, and he adds the following: Since 36 CF hit NY on Sunday night, they have been spending their time up at Scrap 60 Productions, finishing the mixing of their upcoming debut Bitterness The Star. The only break the band is taking is to play the show Wednesday night, and another show in Connecticut on the next night. 36 CF figures to be in town mixing until mid-next week. We are hoping to have the project mastered before Christmas.

Now, if you have yet to do so, you are under direct orders to go and download the only MP3 we posted from these mixes - the "Turns To Ashes" download can be found under MUSIC. (note - this is not the final, final version).

After speaking with 36 Crazyfists' vocalist Brock from his home in Alaska, he tells that he just received a FedEx containing the first 2 test mixes - for the tracks "All I Am" and "One More Word". Brock tells, "he (Thomas, drummer) says it's good, so we'll see...he's a good character of judgement." Though you might already be well aware of the sun's habits in Alaska, for the time being, it is light out ALL the time...well almost all the time. As Brock tells, "1:30am it gets like dusk, come 3:00am the sun is right back in your face."

"Their record dude, it's fuckin sick" - so says our US New Media guy Carl. June 17 concluded the recording sessions for the effort titled Bitterness The Star. Let's take a look back at the last day of recording - Sunday, June 17th, 2001- At approximately 4:30 pm EST on Sunday afternoon, Roadrunner's own US New Media guy, Carl Severson, arrived at Red Clay Studios wherein 36 CF were laying down the final vocal tracks. Once inside, Carl was greeted by 36 Crazyfist's Steve Holt (guitarist) and Brock Lindow (vocals), Scrap 60 Production's Eddie Wohl (heading the final session), and Eddie's dog Tiger. Steve and Brock were in full on recording mode that day. This being the last day, all loose ends had to be tied up. Carl's business on this day was to add some backing vocals to the track "One Word". "It was real recording. No punch ins. It was pure, raw, and live," Carl describes the experience. He, Brock, and Steve took turns belting out the lines to the chorus, back and forth. "I added the hardcore, metal band style to it," Carl adds.

On the subject of fellow vocalist Brock Lindow's talent, Carl emphatically states "Brock's voice is fucking insane." Come 7:30 pm EST, Carl found himself driving back home. Thrilled about the experience that was just afforded to him. So how did this come about? Carl is the frontman for the US New Jersey based hardcore/metal crossover act Nora (see www.TheNoraRockMachine.com). "Oh, we're based in Jersey, fuckin' proud of it," Carl explains as his smile turns into a sneer. One of Nora's guitarists, Matt (now affectionately nicknamed 'Portland'), used to live in Portland, Oregon, USA and was friends with 36 CF's Brock. When 'Portland' moved to New Jersey to join Nora, Brock & Steve bought a Nora cd. And over drinks with 36 Crazyfists one night back in the beginning of recording, they asked Carl to join them for a track. There is another guest appearance on the upcoming Bitterness The Star LP. Steev from Skinlab, a good friend of 36 CF, joined them in the studio a couple weekends back to do some vocals on the track "Bury Me Where I Fall".

Here's a quote direct from the VP of A&R at Roadrunner, "Coolest vocals I've ever heard in a band. Unique, different, like nothing else out there right now... watch for them to blow up in 2001." Roadrunner's new recruits, 36CRAZYFISTS, are a swirling, dynamic experience in musical brutality. Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, the band has been honing in their fury to a razor sharp edge since 1995! Check out mp3s from their recent demo sessions, 'Circle The Drain' and 'Chalk White'.

The guys took some time out in the US recently to answer some fan questions - here's the questions and the answers for you to read!
1) How long have you guys been playing together, and what made you decide to become musicians? – Dave Jones
answer - We have been playing together as 36 Crazyfists since 1994. We became musicians because we love music!

2) I met 36 Crazyfists at the Hinge video shoot. I wanna know if they will be making a video like I asked them to do here in NYC? – Lilbizkit142
answer - We haven't any plans to shoot a video, but maybe down the road a little we will. Right now, we're just focusing on finishing our album.

3) I have a question for Brock Lindow – How did he get involved in the recording, and what can he tell us about the song? – Dan Madole
answer - Assuming this question is about “Circle The Drain”, the song is just about a time when I was living very dishonestly, and had somewhat of a gambling problem. I'm really shitty with money and at times I tend to get in over my head.

4) What bands would each of you consider your greatest influence? – C. Hazen
answer - Brock would say his greatest influence for getting into music in the first place would be Metallica and Faith No More. Thomas would say the Cure and Metallica. Steve would say Metallica. Mick would say Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

5) What affect do you feel being in a remote area like Alaska has had on your music? – J. Wittson
answer - I'm not sure of the affect Alaska had on our music, but the close knit scene up there was a really positive upbringing for our band.

6) My simple question – Why did you wait so long to start recording your album? I have been listening to “Circle The Drain” since I saw it posted last year. My mouth has been watering ever since. Please hurry up and drop the bomb on the industry, your sound is what we all need some more of. – DelRaeClwn
answer - We actually wrote “Circle The Drain” in 99, so it was on our demo back then and we got signed a year later. We went through quite a few months of legal business, it's not the fastest process in the world, at least from our experience.

7) If you could tour with any 3 bands, past or present, who would it be and why? – Mike M.
answer - We'd say Sabbath for the mere fact that they rule, Deftones because we're huge fans of them, and Metallica because they were our favorite band growing up.

8) I was recently at a show where I got a cd with a bunch of stuff from new artists signed to Roadrunner Records, and on it was the demo for “Circle The Drain”, which in my opinion is a really bad ass tune, and I personally will be on the look out for your new stuff. But anyways, my question is this – What are the stronger influences that made you want to play music, and what drew you to the style that you have chosen to play? – Mustaine1313
answer - We already answered the influences, but as for the style, heavy music seems to be the outlet we have for any of life's frustrations.

9) The lyrics in your songs are deep and heartfelt, it definitely shows in the onstage performance. Are your lyrics induced from any euphoric and/or bad experiences or battles with drugs? (be honest, we'll still love you) – Deattaleducangel
answer - None of the lyrics are really about drugs except for the mistakes you can make with alcohol. Just basically about relationshit mishaps to typical human error!

10) What bands will you anticipate touring with in the near future? – Deattaleducangel
answer - We haven't really heard who we will tour with yet, but by mid Summer we hope to be on the road. So, we will definitely know with who, I'm assuming, fairly soon.

11) If your music was a car, what kind would it be? Also, when can we expect your album to be released? – Jason C
answer - I'd say we are a pretty banged up vehicle, we've gathered some definite scars throughout the years from losing band members to death. But I'd say we're still running pretty smooth.

12) Do you have any independent shit? I was wondering if you already released anything or will be releasing some old stuff that I can get – I am one of the biggest 36 fans out there! – Againstbigots
answer - Unfortunately, we haven't anymore copies of our earlier stuff, but it is floating out there. We had a full length CD in 1997 called In The Skin and an EP in 95 called The Boss Buckle EP, and an EP in 95 cakked Suffer Tree.

13) With you guys being from Alaska, I would imagine it being hard for you guys to be noticed. What's the music scene like over there and how did you guys eventually get your music out to the public?
answer - Anchorage's music scene is small, but there are the most original sounding bands coming from there. For such a small place, not one band sounds alike. It's a very cool place to have grown up and experienced the scene for many years. We moved to Portland, OR and met the guys in Skinlab and they kinda took us under their wing and helped up get our music to the right people.

14) Will the song “Suffer Tree” (about your late bassist) be on Bitterness The Star? – Christopher H.
answer - “Suffer Tree” won't make the CD. It was put out in 1996.

15) How does recording your music with a major record label differ from recording your own music independently? Are you more focused on getting it done right or do you still try to have fun with it all? – Kellie I.
answer - We are having fun but it's definitely much more professional on this level and it sounds much better. It has been an amazing process so far.